When I was growing up, I wouldn’t have described myself as “athletic.”
I wasn’t the kid standing out on any team… well, maybe for my awkward running in basketball or being extremely clumsy on-stage during dance competitions. But somehow, I still found myself showing up at dance classes and basketball practices. Looking back, I’m so thankful I did.
Because the biggest lessons I learned had very little to do with sports.
It Was Never About Being the Best
There were definitely kids who were naturally talented. I admired them, but I wasn’t one of them.
Some days I felt awkward. Some days I wasn’t sure I belonged. But every practice taught me something valuable.
It’s okay to simply enjoy something without being exceptional at it.
You don’t have to be the best at something for it to be worth doing. Sometimes, the greatest value comes from the friendships you build, the confidence you gain, and the simple joy of showing up.
I Found My People
One of my favorite parts of sports wasn’t the games or performances—it was the people.
Being part of a team gave me a sense of belonging. We encouraged each other, laughed through mistakes, and celebrated the little wins together.
For kids, that kind of community is priceless.
Sometimes the Lesson Is Knowing When to Walk Away
I eventually quit dance—not because I didn’t enjoy dancing, but because the culture no longer felt healthy for me.
At the time, it was a difficult decision. Walking away from something I’d invested so much time in wasn’t easy.
But looking back, I’m grateful for that experience too. It taught me that advocating for yourself is just as important as pushing through challenges. Sometimes courage looks like sticking with something that’s hard, and other times it looks like recognizing when an environment isn’t serving you and having the confidence to choose something different.
That lesson has stayed with me just as much as anything I learned on the court or the stage.
My Family Was Always There
When I think back to those years, I don’t remember every game or dance routine.
I remember looking into the stands and seeing my family.
As a parent now, I realize it’s the rides to practice, the drives to competitions, the post-game chats, and all those little moments in between that create lasting memories. Those extra moments of connection often become the things our kids remember most.
I Learned to Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Sports pushed me outside of my comfort zone.
I had to try things I wasn’t naturally good at. I had to keep practicing even when I wanted to quit. I learned that progress doesn’t happen overnight—it comes from simply showing up again and again.
Melissa Watson
Psychologist, new Mom and attachment Guru
